Mexico

Suites at the Palace Deluxe are roomy and welcoming, with mini bars stocked daily, flat-screen TVs and luxury amenities. And should we remind you that this is an all-inclusive property? Rates at the Palace Deluxe start at $131 pp per night through Oct. 31. Playa del Carmen and Tulum are just minutes away.

pueblo bonito emerald bay This all-suite property comes in the form of freestanding villas designed into a stand of ancient mangroves, offering great views of the greenery and the Pacific Ocean beyond. It’s its access to the beach, in fact, which provides most of the fun here: snorkeling, jet skiing, boating or just bobbing up and down with the waves.

Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay can also arrange for horseback riding adventures for the whole family, whether along a nearby beach or nature trail, as well as nature hikes, off-road rentals and assorted eco-tours. Its youth program is varied, with activities that are both fun and educational. A kids club for ages 4 to 11 is priced at $32 for a full day and $22 for a half day, and offers T-shirt and balloon painting, piñata and basket making, special crafts, pool time and even a bit of PlayStation enjoyment should the need come up.

Keep in mind, however, that this is one destination where clients of all ages will want to step out of the resort’s walls and explore. There are exquisite cultural riches to be found in Old Mazatlan, including hundreds of historic sites such as the Pino Suarez market, which has been in operation since 1899. There are also lots of places of interest for the younger crowd, including the world’s second tallest lighthouse and the Mazatlan Aquarium, which offers sea lion shows, a mini-zoo for mammals and its own botanical garden.